How to Pay My Avista Bill Online, by Phone, or In Person

Paying your energy bill is a necessary evil that comes around each month. While writing a check and popping it in the mail used to be the standard way to pay bills, today there are more options than ever for paying your Avista bill quickly and easily.

In this article, I’ll walk through the various ways Avista customers can pay their bill. Whether you prefer the convenience of automated payments, the simplicity of paying online, or the old school method of paying by check, Avista has a payment option for you.

Why Paying Online Is So Popular

Paying your Avista bill online has become the most popular payment method for good reason. It’s fast secure available 24/7, and gives you more control over your payment details.

I often pay my Avista bill online because:

• I can pay anytime, even at 11pm if I’ve forgotten to pay earlier in the month.
• It only takes a few clicks and I’m done – no checks to write or envelopes to find.
• I can see my up-to-date account balance before making a payment.
• I can choose different payment amounts each month if needed.
• My payment history is stored online for easy reference.

To pay online, you’ll need to register for an online account on Avista’s website. Once your account is set up you can log in anytime to make a payment. Avista also offers a mobile app to pay your bill on the go.

Setting Up Automatic Payments

For maximum convenience, consider enrolling in Avista’s Auto Pay program. This automatically withdraws your bill payment each month from your chosen bank account or credit card.

The benefits of Auto Pay include

• Never forgetting a payment – it happens automatically each month.
• Avoiding late fees since the payment happens on time.
• Saving time by not having to manually make payments.
• Earning a $5 bill credit by enrolling in paperless billing when you set up Auto Pay.

To enroll in Auto Pay, you need an online Avista account. Log in and navigate to “Your Bill” then “Ways to Pay” to set up automated payments.

Avista offers Auto Pay at no cost and allows you to pick the payment date that works for your monthly budget. You can update your payment method or cancel Auto Pay anytime.

Paying Over the Phone

If you don’t have online account access or prefer speaking to a customer service rep, Avista’s automated phone system is available 24/7 for payments.

To pay by phone:

• Call 800-227-9187 for residential accounts.
• Call 800-936-6629 for business accounts.
• Have your Avista account number ready.
• Use your touch tone keypad to select “Make a Payment” and follow the prompts.

Payments by phone are free for residential customers but have a $10 fee for business customers. Still, it’s a quick and easy way to pay if you don’t have online account access.

Paying by Mail

Mailing in a check or money order is still a payment option if you prefer paying the “old fashioned way.”

To pay by mail:

• Write your Avista account number on the check or money order.

• Make sure the payment will arrive by your due date.

• Send your payment to:

  Avista
  1411 E. Mission Ave
  Spokane, WA 99252-0001

No online account is needed to pay by mail. Just be sure to allow 5-7 days for the mailed payment to reach Avista and post to your account.

Paying In Person

If you want to hand deliver your payment or pay with cash, Avista has authorized pay stations located across their service area. These third party locations accept bill payments for a small fee.

To find an authorized pay station near you:

• Go to the Avista website.
• Click “Customer Support” then “Find a Payment Location.”
• Enter your city or ZIP code.
• The pay stations in your area will display on a map.

You can filter locations by payment types accepted and get driving directions. Most pay stations accept cash payments for a fee under $2.

Got Financial Hardship? Get Payment Assistance

If you’re experiencing financial hardship and are struggling to pay your Avista bill, don’t despair. Avista offers payment assistance programs and flexible payment plans to customers in need.

Some options if you need help paying your bill:

• Payment arrangements – Set up a monthly payment plan or extend your due date through Avista’s self-service payment arrangements tool.

• Energy assistance – You may qualify for state and federal bill payment assistance programs through Avista based on your household income.

• Comfort Level Billing – Pay a set “average” bill amount each month to even out seasonal highs and lows in your energy costs.

• Scrip Program – Nonprofit organizations can purchase bill credits on your behalf using scrip from Avista.

Reach out to an Avista customer service rep to discuss bill payment assistance options right for your situation. They can help you set up a manageable payment plan or apply for energy assistance.

Which Payment Method is Best for You?

However you choose to pay your Avista bill, the company strives to offer convenient payment options to fit every lifestyle. Choosing the right method for you comes down to personal preference.

I prefer paying online for the convenience, organization, and instant payment confirmation. But you may value the simplicity of automatic payments, the human touch of phone payments, or the satisfaction of dropping a check in the mailbox.

Whichever option you choose, pay your Avista bill on time each month using the payment method that suits your needs. Reach out to Avista’s customer service team with any questions on the available payment methods.